Indoor wireless voice and data distribution system

ABSTRACT

A wireless voice and data system for improving coverage in an enclosed area includes a hub device for transceiving RF signals with a signal source positioned generally removed from an enclosed area. The hub device includes voice hardware for processing voice signals, data hardware for processing data signals, and combining hardware for combining and separating voice signals and data signals in the hub device. A remote access point device for transceiving signals with customer equipment includes voice hardware for processing voice signals, data hardware for processing data signals, and combining hardware for combining and separating voice signals and data signals in the remote access point. An optical fiber system is coupled between the hub device and the remote access point device and is operable for modulating and demodulating the combined voice and data signals for communicating between the hub device and remote access point device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention is directed generally to wireless communicationsystems, and particularly to a wireless system for providing voice anddata to customers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Wireless communication systems are becoming increasingly utilizedby a wide variety of consumers. Traditionally, wireless voice systemshave driven the use of such technology. In fact, wireless voice traffichas exploded in the last few years.

[0003] Wireless communication systems also include wireless dataservices. Consequently, a rapidly growing demand for wireless dataservices has coincided with the increased wireless voice traffic.Therefore, there is a need for systems which can provide both wirelessvoice access and wireless data access.

[0004] As wireless communication systems become more ubiquitous, thedemand has increased for improved coverage inside confined areas, suchas buildings and tunnels. As a result, products exist for providing thedistribution of wireless voice traffic in confined areas, such as insidea building. For example, Andrew Corporation, which is the owner of thepresent application, currently offers the InCell™ System for in-buildingwireless communications. The InCell™ System improves and extends the RFvoice traffic coverage, such as for cell phones and pagers, intobuildings and other hard-to-penetrate indoor areas. The InCell™ System,for example, can support cellular and PCS communication services, andalso has dual-band capabilities for carrying multiple wireless services.The InCell™ System can also be easily upgraded to accommodate thirdgeneration (3G) services. As such, the InCell™ System offers a quick,simple, and cost-effective way of extending and improving in-buildingwireless voice coverage without resorting to major structural workwithin the building.

[0005] Also coinciding with the demand for wireless data services,several wireless service providers are deploying wireless data networks,in similar venues inside buildings. Such wireless data networksgenerally conform to the 802.11b standard. However, such data systemsare usually specifically dedicated to data traffic, and are generallynot expandable with respect to other wireless services. Furthermore,such existing wireless data networks require significant structural workor retrofitting of a building in order to install such systems, inaddition to any wireless voice system that is installed in the building.

[0006] As may be appreciated, facility operators may be reluctant toundertake additional installations, for example, in addition to a voicesystem installation, if structural work is significant. Specifically, afacility operator who has made an initial investment with respect toinstalling either a wireless voice system or a wireless data system,does not want to then turn around and install another such system forproviding improved wireless voice and/or data coverage within the samebuilding.

[0007] Furthermore, wireless data service providers are often not asfinancially strong as typical wireless voice service providers, and thusmay also be reluctant to install their systems within a venue whichwould require significant installation costs.

[0008] Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a system whichimproved and extended voice and data coverage indoors, such as within abuilding or hard-to-penetrate areas, and which may be readily andcost-effectively installed. As such, it would be desirable for such asystem that combines both the capabilities of wireless voice extensionand wireless data delivery, and which would require only a singleinstallation.

[0009] It is also desirable to be able to retrofit an existingin-building wireless voice system for providing in-building coverage forwireless voice and data services.

[0010] Accordingly, the present invention addresses these desires withinthe market, and provides a system for providing indoor wireless voiceand data distribution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of theinvention and, together with a general description of the inventiongiven above, and the detailed description of the embodiments givenbelow, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0012]FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic views of embodiments of in-buildingsystems in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a remote access point of the systemof FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a hub in the system of FIG. 1.

[0015]FIG. 3A is a schematic view of an RF-to-DATA converter embodimentfor the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 3B is a schematic view of an embodiment of a bridge circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017]FIG. 1A illustrates system 10 in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention. System 10 is a system which would be utilized generallyindoors, such as inside of a building, tunnel, subway, or otherdifficult-to-penetrate area, for providing wireless communications, bothin the form of voice and data communications in the indoor area. System10 comprises a signal source 12. The signal source 12 may be one or moredifferent configurations for handling wireless traffic. For example, itmay include a base station 14 and associated hardware, which is coupled,for example, through a wired or wireless backhaul system 20 to aswitching center. Alternatively, an antenna 16 for transceiving thewireless communication signal may be coupled to the hub 24 throughappropriate amplifiers and filters 15. Base station 14 and antenna 16might be located outside of the building as an outdoor base station, oralternatively, might be located inside of the building, as anin-building base station (e.g. microcell, picocell). Otherconfigurations might also be utilized. The base station hardware andother electronics of the system 10 might be located inside of thebuilding, or outside. For example, system 10 may utilize a roof-mountedoff-air donor antenna and repeater amplifier. In any case, wirelesscommunication signals are transceived by the system 10 associated with abuilding or other confined area.

[0018] For providing wireless voice communications, systems exist forindoor wireless voice distribution. For example, as noted above, AndrewCorporation, headquartered in Orland Park, Chicago, offers the InCell™system which extends wireless voice coverage into buildings and otherareas. The current InCell™ system provides wireless voice coverage. Inaccordance with one aspect of the present invention, the InCell™ systemmight be retrofitted, as discussed herein, for providing wireless voiceextension as well as wireless data delivery services within a singleinstallation.

[0019] To that end, wireless communication signals, such as voicesignals from base station 14, are routed on line 22 to a hub or hubdevice 24. The hub 24 might be an Andrew InCell™ hub or CentralDistribution Unit (CDU) which has been modified in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention. The hub 24 is operably coupled to aplurality of remote access points 25 for distributing the wirelesssignals. The remote access points or remote access point devices, in oneembodiment of the invention, might be Remote Antenna Units (RAUs) of theInCell™ System.

[0020]FIG. 1B illustrates an alternative arrangement using multiplehubs. Specifically, signals on line 22 may be routed to a main hub 24 awhereupon it is distributed to other hubs 24, and then to the remoteaccess points 25. The system herein is described with respect to asingle hub and its respective access points. However, multiple hubscoupled to a main hub might also be utilized for practicing theinvention.

[0021]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a suitable hub 24 for oneembodiment of the invention. Hub 24 includes multiple hub circuits 27for handling voice and data traffic for multiple customers and variouslocations. Each hub circuit 27 includes appropriate fiber links 40, 41to a remote access point 25. Appropriate RF voice hardware, which isindicated by reference numeral 26 in FIG. 3, interfaces with the basestation 14 for processing voice signals. The RF voice hardware 26 isshown as two separate blocks for the up-link and down-link sides of thesystem. However, the hardware 26 might also be indicated schematicallyby a single box, for both the up-link and down-link paths. The RF voicehardware 26 couples to base station 14, antenna 16, and/or wiredbackhaul 20 through a suitable connector, such as a Type N connector 28.The voice signals and other wireless traffic are coupled between thesignal source and hub, through a suitable combiner/divider circuit 29for reducing the number of cables 22 between hub 24 and the base station14 or antenna 16. The RF voice hardware 26 may include appropriatecircuitry, such as amplification circuitry and/or filtering circuitryfor processing the RF voice signals from the base station wired backhaulor other signal source on path or cable 22. Alternatively, amplificationand filtering circuitry might be included within the base station orelsewhere apart from hub 24, and the RF voice hardware 26, would beessentially the necessary cables and connectors for providing a signalpath to the hub circuits 27 to then be communicated with various remoteaccess points 25, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0022] Hub 24 further includes hardware for combining and separatingvoice signals on lines 32, 98 and data signals on lines 34, 100. In thedisclosed embodiment diplexing hardware, such as diplexers 30, 96 areillustrated, although the multiple boxes shown for the uplink anddownlink sides may be combined into a single circuit. The voice signalson line 32 could be in any suitable wireless communication band, such asthe traditional cellular band, at around 800 MHz, or the PCS band,around 1900 MHz, or any other suitable wireless communication frequencyband, including any designated 3G band. For example, InCell™ models arecurrently available for Cellular/PCS or GSM/DCS-1800.

[0023] In the current application, the terms “voice signals,” or “voicetraffic” are generally utilized to indicate wireless signals or trafficwhich are in a frequency band which is utilized for wireless voicecommunications. However, some such frequency bands are also used fordata traffic as well as voice traffic. For example, the PCS band isutilized for both voice and data. Also, 3G bands may be utilized forvoice and data. Therefore, signals which may be carrying voice trafficmight also have data traffic as well. Consequently, the terms “voicesignals” or “voice traffic” as used herein are not limited only to voicetraffic, but may include data traffic or data components as well, suchas data over the PCS band. Therefore, in one aspect of the invention,voice/data in an RF band might be combined with other data in a dataformat such as 802.3 Ethernet format.

[0024] The present invention provides voice signals (with voice or data)over conventional wireless voice bands in combination with high speeddata traffic, such as through a high speed 802.3 or 802.11 standard dataprotocol. Therefore, data may also be present along with the voice/datatraffic or signals designated as “voice signals.”

[0025] A data connection may be provided for hub 24 via an appropriatehigh speed data network 44 through appropriate ports 42 and suitableswitching. The data network 44, in one embodiment of the invention, maybe hard wired to the hub. Switching circuitry may be necessary withnetwork 44 for handling the data traffic that may be associated with themultiple remote access points 25. The data traffic from network 44 maybe in an appropriate format, such as an Ethernet 802.3 format. The ports42 may include Ethernet connection hardware to provide paths for thedata between network 44 and the hub circuitry 27. As shown in FIG. 3,each of the various circuits 27 has data ports 42 associated therewithfor providing data capability for the various and respective remoteaccess points 25. The network data signals are converted between a dataformat and an appropriate RF format for transmission, as discussedbelow.

[0026] The combined or diplexed RF data signals and voice signals online 36 are directed to laser hardware 38. The laser hardware 38converts the RF signals to appropriate optical signals on line 40, whichis indicated as FIBER OUT for the hub 24. For example, a laser diode 110might be utilized (see FIG. 3B). Therefore, the combined signals on line40 contain both voice and data traffic from the hub. In one embodiment,the signals are AM modulated on appropriate optical fiber 40. The laserhardware 38, detector hardware 94, and appropriate lines or cables 40,41, are part of the optical fiber system of the invention forcommunicating between the hub and remote access points on optical fiber.The optical fiber 40 might be included within a cable along with DCpower lines for powering the remote access points 25. The optical fiberis a suitable fiber, such as single mode fiber, which has highperformance characteristics, low loss, and wide bandwidth.

[0027] In one embodiment, a single fiber line or strand might beutilized to carry the combined voice and data traffic together in acable. Alternatively, the voice traffic is carried on a different fiberline or strand from the data traffic, even though both voice and datastrands might be coupled together into a unitary composite cable. As isdiscussed below, FIBER IN also exists for each hub. Similarly, thecombined voice/data traffic on the FIBER IN side of the circuits mightbe communicated over a single fiber line/strand, or separatelines/strands might be used for voice traffic and separately for datatraffic, with the separate strands incorporated into a composite cable.

[0028] As noted, for data capabilities, hub 24 includes a plurality ofdata ports 42 which are appropriately coupled to transfer data betweenhub 24 and network 44 or some other data source, as noted above. In oneembodiment of the invention, network 44 might be hard wired to the ports42. Alternatively, such connection might be wireless. The data fromvarious sources may thereby be properly routed to and from hub 24.

[0029] Incoming data, such as on lines 48 is routed to appropriateRF-to-DATA Converter circuitry 49. The RF-to-DATA converter circuitry 49converts the data traffic into an appropriate RF form for routing overthe fiber 40, 41 between the appropriate hub 24 and remote access points25.

[0030]FIG. 3A discloses one possible embodiment of RF-to-DATA convertercircuitry 49. Transformers 50, 104 are provided for handling any DCcomponents associated with data lines 48. Generally, the optical fiberconnection 40, 41 between the hub 24 and the remote access points 25generally cannot have a DC component thereon. Transformer circuitryinterfaces through lines 51 and 103 with a bridge circuit 52, which inturn interfaces with appropriate amplifiers 54, 102 through lines 53 and100, respectively.

[0031] For example, data on line 51 may be delivered to a bridge circuit52 which acts to regenerate the digital data signal for quality, andalso to convert the signal to a proper RF format to be diplexed orcombined at diplexer 30, and ultimately combined over fiber (40 FIBEROUT) to the remote access points 25. The converted data signal on line53 may then be amplified by an appropriate amplifier 54, diplexed withvoice traffic by diplexer 30, and transmitted out over the FIBER OUTlink 40 to the remote access points 25. As noted above, the FIBER OUTlink might utilize a single fiber strand for both voice and data, ormultiple strands to handle the voice and data traffic separately.

[0032] Bridge circuit 52 illustrated in FIG. 3A is used to convert thesignal to a proper RF format to be diplexed or combined with otherwireless traffic over fiber for transmission to the remote access point25. FIG. 3B illustrates one embodiment of suitable bridge circuitry tobe used in the invention. FIG. 3B also illustrates other components ofthe system coupled with the bridge circuitry.

[0033] Turning to FIG. 3B, signals on appropriate network lines 48 arecoupled to an Ethernet physical layer interface circuit, or Ethernet PHY112. As illustrated in the Figure, the lines may be coupled to anappropriate data network, such as a LAN. The Ethernet PHY circuitry 112takes a data signal and its associated timing off of the LAN lines 48and extracts the data. Coupled with the Ethernet PHY 112 is a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) which functions to provide a Manchestermodulation and demodulation function to provide Manchester encoded data.Incoming data to the hub, such as on LAN line 51, is properly handled bythe FPGA 114 and is amplified by amplifier 54 and provided to thediplexer 30 for combination with voice signals. The laser hardware 38,for example, including a laser diode 110, then converts the combinedsignals to a format for proper transmission over fiber. On the FIBER INside 41 of hub 24, diplexer 94 separates the data and RF voice signalsand provides the data signals (line 100) to the RF-to-data converter 49and the bridge circuitry 52. Data on line 100 is amplified by an LNA 102and by a limiting amplifier 116. It is then passed through thresholdcircuitry 118 to provide the desired digital signal for use by FPGA 114and Ethernet PHY 112. The data is then converted to a suitable Ethernetformat for transmission over outgoing LAN line 103. Accordingly, thebridge circuitry 52 of the hub provides interfacing between twodifferent types of networks.

[0034] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the FPGAcircuitry 114 and the provision of the Manchester encoded data providesan improvement in the ability of the system to detect the incomingcombined data and voice traffic from the fiber. Specifically, problemscan sometimes arise in the detector hardware, such as hardware 94 of thesystem, due to the non-linearity of the laser diode 110. Ethernetsignals and the associated data traffic often arrive at the hub inbursts and thus are forwarded from the hub to the remote access point insimilar bursts. Usually, to handle such bursts, specific receiver and/ordetector hardware would be necessary. Such specialized detector hardwarerequires high signal levels and intermods from the laser diode.

[0035] To address such a problem and to eliminate the need for suchspecialized receiver and detector hardware, the present inventionutilizes the Ethernet PHY circuitry 112 and the FPGA circuitry 114 toprovide a clock at all times on the data lines. That is, there willalways be digital traffic regardless of whether burst data is being sentor not. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, thisallows a different detector to be utilized, which may be utilized atdesirable lower power levels. For example, when the stream of dataprovided by the present invention is constant, it is generally notnecessary to detect peaks, and therefore, the detector hardware cansettle. Normally, the Ethernet PHY circuitry 112 creates a decoder clockwhich is embedded in the data. The clock would be turned off when thedata packet is complete. However, in accordance with an aspect of oneembodiment of the invention, the clock is left on, and theManchester-encoded data is operating for all clock cycles, regardless ofwhether burst data is being sent or not. For example, a constant streamof digital 1(s) may be utilized in the absence of the burst data toachieve the desirable results of the invention and utilize detectorswhich work at lower power levels. That is, the FPGA circuitry 114 willalways have a clock signal regardless of whether Ethernet burst data isbeing sent.

[0036] The path described above is generally for delivering voice anddata to a remote access point. The operation at the remote access point,will now be described, followed by a description of the return trafficfrom the remote access point.

[0037] Turning now to FIG. 2 and the remote access point 25, the FIBEROUT link 40 is indicated as the FIBER IN link 40 to the remote accesspoint. Remote access point 25 includes detector hardware 56, which ispart of the optical fiber system and is operable to demodulate theoptical signals and convert them to appropriate RF signals for furtherseparation, processing, and transmission. For example, such detectorhardware may comprise a photodiode detector 120, as shown in FIG. 3B. Asnoted, the optical information may be AM modulated on the fiber link 40.Therefore, the detector hardware 56 would provide AM demodulation andappropriate conversion to an RF signal for further processing on line58. A diplexer 60, or other separating circuit then separates therespective RF voice and data signals.

[0038] The voice signals are coupled through line 61 to RF voicehardware 62, where they are appropriately amplified, filtered, and/orfurther processed for wireless transmission, such as over an antenna 64at the remote access point 25 for enhancing voice coverage within abuilding. A diplexer 66 might be utilized for handling uplink anddownlink capabilities through the remote access point. The RF voicehardware 62 and remote antenna 64, for example, may be similar to thecurrent components for the RAU of the Andrew InCell™ System.Simultaneously, the data signals on line 65 are directed to appropriateRF-to-DATA converter circuitry 68. The RF-to-DATA converter circuitrymight be similar to the circuitry illustrated in FIG. 3A and discussedabove, and will convert the data traffic to the appropriate format, suchas the Ethernet 802.3 network format for transmission of the datasignals over lines 72 to data circuit 74. Furthermore, the bridgecircuit of the circuitry 68 may be the same as discussed in FIG. 3B,above.

[0039] The data circuit 74 may be a commercially available data circuitwhich provides appropriate network connections, such as 802.3 Ethernetport connections, and/or wireless Ethernet connections under the 802.11standard. To that end, the data signals 72 might be routed to hardwiredports 76, or may be converted by appropriate circuitry 78 to the 802.11wireless Ethernet format and retransmitted, such as over antenna 80.Remote access point 25 illustrated in FIG. 2 shows two possible antennas64, 80 for transmission of the voice and data signals independently.Alternatively, a single antenna structure 80 and associated hardwaremight be utilized for transmitting both voice and data in a wirelessformat, as illustrated by reference numeral 63.

[0040] At the remote access point 25, network ports 76 might be providedas hardwired ports for a user to plug their equipment (e.g., a laptopcomputer) into when desired. At the remote access point, incoming datais also received from users/customers coupled to the access point 25either through a wired (ports 76) or wireless (antenna 80) link. Theincoming data at remote access point 25 is routed on lines 72 to theRF-to-DATA converter 68. The converted RF data output on line 89 is thencombined at diplexer 88 with any incoming voice traffic from antenna 64(or 80) and RF voice hardware 62 through diplexer 66. In the remoteaccess point 25, the RF voice hardware 62 is indicated schematicallywith two separate boxes to indicate the separate uplink and downlinkpaths coupled to the diplexer 66. However, generally the hardware iscombined as is conventional and coupled to a single antenna 64.Similarly, the uplink and downlink data paths 72 are illustrated asseparate paths and may be combined together in a hardware design.

[0041] The voice traffic on line 87 and data on line 89 is combined ordiplexed and then the combined RF signals are directed on line 90 tolaser hardware 92 which may be similar to the laser hardware 38 in thehub 24. Laser hardware converts the combined RF signals to suitableoptical signals, such as by amplitude modulation, and directs them overa fiber cable or line 41 back to the hub 24, wherein the fiber line 41is indicated as FIBER IN, bringing incoming voice and data traffic tothe hub from the remote access point. At the hub 24, detector hardware94 demodulates the optical signal and converts it to RF on line 95. Thecombined voice and data traffic is separated at diplexer 96, and thevoice data is directed on line 98 to the voice hardware 26 where it isthen coupled through connector 28 and appropriate cabling 22 back to anindoor or outdoor base station 14, or a wired backhaul system 20. Thevoice traffic is then transmitted, such as back to another base stationremote from the building or structure in which the present system 10 isinstalled. Data traffic on line 100 is directed to RF-to-DATA converter49 where it is converted and conditioned for transmission in an Ethernetformat, such as an Ethernet 802.3 format, or in a wireless format, suchas 802.11. The data is then directed on appropriate lines 48 toapplicable ports 42 for coupling with an external data network 44.

[0042] The present invention thus provides the distribution of voice anddata traffic on an indoor wireless system and provides for greaterwireless voice coverage within a building, while simultaneouslyproviding a system for data transmission and access.

[0043] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, anexisting indoor wireless voice system, such as the Andrew InCell™system, might be retrofitted by providing a data access hardware moduleat existing remote access points, which may be plugged in to providedata access through the remote access point or remote antenna unit. Inone embodiment, all of the available access points might be equipped forboth voice and data. Alternatively, only select remote access pointsmight be equipped with both voice and data. In that way, some existingremote access points might be voice only, often referred to as RAUswithin the Andrew InCell™ system. In a still further alternative, otherremote access points might provide only remote data access.

[0044] One particular feature of the present invention is that it willallow data providers and Internet service providers to couple into anexisting voice system relatively inexpensively. Voice service providers,such as cellular phone service providers, will often have the financialwherewithall to provide the initial indoor system for extending voiceaccess for their customers. Data providers, on the other hand, oftenwill not have similar financial resources or financial motivation fororiginally installing an indoor data access system. Furthermore,facilities operators will often not want to make additionalinstallations, particularly if they are costly or disruptive to thefacility. The present invention will allow data service providers toretrofit an existing and installed system for their capabilities and topossibly co-partner with voice service providers at a reduced financialinvestment level. The present invention would also be desirable forfacility operators, because only a single installation would be requiredfor both voice and data, rather than two separate installations.

[0045] While the present invention has been illustrated by thedescription of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments havebeen described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of theapplicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appendedclaims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications willreadily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention inits broader aspects is not limited to the specific detailsrepresentative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown anddescribed. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details withoutdeparture from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventiveconcept.

1. A hub device for use in a wireless voice and data system forimproving coverage in an enclosed area, the hub device comprising:circuitry for transceiving RF signals with a signal source positionedgenerally removed from an enclosed area; voice hardware for processingvoice signals; data hardware for processing data signals; and combininghardware operable for combining and separating voice signals and datasignals in the hub device; optical fiber transceiving circuitry operablefor modulating and demodulating the combined voice and data signals forcommunicating with at least one remote access point device coupled inthe system.
 2. The hub device of claim 1 wherein said hub device datahardware comprises a network connection for coupling to a data networkfor processing data through the network.
 3. The hub device of claim 2wherein said network connection is an 802.3 Ethernet connection.
 4. Thehub device of claim 1 wherein said hub device further comprises anRF-to-DATA circuit for converting signals between a data network formatand an RF format for combining and separating voice signals and datasignals in the hub device.
 5. The hub device of claim 4 wherein theRF-to-DATA circuit comprises circuitry for providing a digital stream inthe absence of data signals for providing generally continuous signalsto be combined with the voice signals.
 6. The hub device of claim 4wherein the RF-to-DATA circuit comprises circuitry for providingManchester modulation and demodulation.
 7. The hub device of claim 4wherein said optical fiber transceiving circuitry is operable formodulating and demodulating the combined signals for communication overoptical fiber.
 8. The hub device of claim 4 wherein said RF-to-DATAcircuit includes amplification circuitry for amplifying signalsconverted between a data network format and an RF format.
 9. A remoteaccess point device for use in a wireless voice and data system forimproving coverage in an enclosed area, the remote access point devicecomprising: circuitry for transceiving signals with customer equipment,voice hardware for processing voice signals; data hardware forprocessing data signals; and combining hardware operable for combiningand separating voice signals and data signals in the remote access pointdevice; optical fiber transceiving circuitry operable for modulating anddemodulating the combined voice and data signals for communicating witha hub device coupled in the system.
 10. The remote access point deviceof claim 9 further comprising an RF-to-DATA circuit for convertingsignals between a data network format and an RF format for combining andseparating voice signals and data signals in the remote access pointdevice.
 11. The remote access point device of claim 10 wherein theRF-to-DATA circuit comprises circuitry for providing a digital stream inthe absence of data signals for providing generally continuous signalsto be combined with the voice signals.
 12. The remote access pointdevice of claim 10 wherein the RF-to-DATA circuit comprises circuitryfor providing Manchester modulation and demodulation.
 13. The remoteaccess point device of claim 9 further comprising an antenna fortransceiving signals with customer equipment.
 14. The remote accesspoint device of claim 13 wherein said voice hardware of the remoteaccess point device is coupled to the antenna.
 15. The remote accesspoint device of claim 13 wherein said data hardware of the remote accesspoint device is coupled to the antenna.
 16. The remote access pointdevice of claim 13 wherein both of said voice hardware and data hardwareof the remote access point device are coupled to the antenna.
 17. Theremote access point device of claim 9 wherein said data hardware isoperable for processing data signals in an 802.11 wireless networkformat.
 18. A wireless voice and data system for improving coverage inan enclosed area, the system comprising: a hub device for transceivingRF signals with a signal source positioned generally removed from anenclosed area, the hub device including voice hardware for processingvoice signals; the hub device further including data hardware forprocessing data signals, and combining hardware operable for combiningand separating voice signals and data signals in the hub device; aremote access point device for transceiving signals with customerequipment, the remote access point device including voice hardware forprocessing voice signals, data hardware for processing data signals, andcombining hardware for combining and separating voice signals and datasignals in the remote access point; an optical fiber system coupledbetween the hub device and the remote access point device and operablefor modulating and demodulating the combined voice and data signals forcommunicating between the hub device and remote access point device. 19.The system of claim 18 wherein said hub device data hardware comprises anetwork connection for coupling to a data network for processing datathrough the network.
 20. The system of claim 18 wherein said networkconnection is an 802.3 Ethernet connection.
 21. The system of claim 18wherein said hub device further comprises an RF-to-DATA circuit forconverting signals between a data network format and an RF format forcombining and separating voice signals and data signals in the hubdevice.
 22. The system of claim 21 wherein the RF-to-DATA circuitcomprises circuitry for providing a digital stream in the absence ofdata signals for providing generally continuous signals to be combinedwith the voice signals.
 23. The system of claim 21 wherein theRF-to-DATA circuit comprises circuitry for providing Manchestermodulation and demodulation.
 24. The system of claim 21 wherein saidoptical fiber system is operable for modulating and demodulating thecombined signals for communication over optical fiber.
 25. The system ofclaim 21 wherein said RF-to-DATA circuit includes amplificationcircuitry for amplifying signals converted between a data network formatand an RF format.
 26. The system of claim 18 wherein said remote accessdevice further comprises an RF-to-DATA circuit for converting signalsbetween a data network format and an RF format for combining andseparating voice signals and data signals in the remote access device.27. The system of claim 26 wherein the RF-to-DATA circuit comprisescircuitry for providing a digital stream in the absence of data signalsfor providing generally continuous signals to be combined with the voicesignals.
 28. The system of claim 26 wherein the RF-to-DATA circuitcomprises circuitry for providing Manchester modulation anddemodulation.
 29. The system of claim 26 wherein said optical fibersystem is operable for modulating and demodulating the combined RFsignals for communication over optical fiber.
 30. The system of claim 18wherein said remote access point device comprises an antenna fortransceiving signals with customer equipment.
 31. The system of claim 30wherein said voice hardware of the remote access point device is coupledto the antenna.
 32. The system of claim 30 wherein said data hardware ofthe remote access point device is coupled to the antenna.
 33. The systemof claim 30 wherein both of said voice hardware and data hardware of theremote access point device are coupled to the antenna.
 34. The system ofclaim 18 wherein said data hardware of the remote access point device isoperable for processing data signals in an 802.11 wireless networkformat.
 35. The system of claim 18 wherein said optical fiber systemincludes an optical fiber cable coupled between the hub device and theremote access, the cable including a fiber strand for carrying primarilyvoice signals and including a fiber strand for carrying primarily datasignals.
 36. The system of claim 18 wherein said optical fiber systemincludes an optical fiber cable coupled between the hub device and theremote access point device, the cable including a fiber strand forcarrying the combined voice and data signals.
 37. A wireless voice anddata system for improving coverage in an enclosed area, the systemcomprising: a main hub device for transceiving RF signals with a signalsource positioned generally removed from an enclosed area, the hubdevice including voice hardware for processing voice signals; the hubdevice further including data hardware for processing data signals, andcombining hardware for combining and separating voice signals and datasignals in the main hub device; at least one hub device coupled to themain hub device and including voice hardware for processing voicesignals and data hardware for processing data signals, and combininghardware for combining and separating voice signals and data signals inthe hub device; at least one remote access point device for transceivingsignals with customer equipment, the remote access point deviceincluding voice hardware for processing voice signals, data hardware forprocessing data signals, and combining hardware for combining andseparating voice signals and data signals in the remote access point; anoptical fiber system coupled between the hub device and the remoteaccess point device and operable for modulating and demodulating thecombined voice and data signals for communicating between the hub deviceand remote access point device.
 38. A wireless system for improvingcoverage in an enclosed area, the system comprising: a hub device fortransceiving RF signals with a signal source and including voicehardware for processing voice signals, a remote access point device fortransceiving signals with customer equipment and including voicehardware for processing voice signals, and an optical fiber systemoperable for modulating and demodulating the voice signals forcommunicating between the hub device and remote access point device;data hardware in the hub device for processing data signals; combininghardware for combining and separating voice signals and data signals inthe hub device; the optical fiber system operable for modulating anddemodulating the combined voice and data signals for opticallycommunicating both voice and data between the hub device and remoteaccess device.
 39. The system of claim 38 wherein said hub device datahardware comprises a network connection for coupling to a data networkfor processing data through the network.
 40. The system of claim 38wherein said network connection is an 802.3 Ethernet connection.
 41. Thesystem of claim 38 wherein said hub device further comprises anRF-to-DATA circuit for converting signals between a data network formatand an RF format for combining and separating voice signals and datasignals in the hub device.
 42. The system of claim 41 wherein saidRF-to-DATA circuit includes amplification circuitry for amplifyingsignals converted between a data network format and an RF format. 43.The system of claim 41 wherein the RF-to-DATA circuit comprisescircuitry for providing a digital stream in the absence of data signalsfor providing generally continuous signals to be combined with the voicesignals.
 44. The system of claim 41 wherein the RF-to-DATA circuitcomprises circuitry for providing Manchester modulation anddemodulation.
 45. The system of claim 38 wherein said optical fibersystem is operable for modulating and demodulating the combined RFsignals for communication over optical fiber.
 46. The system of claim 38wherein said remote access point device further comprises an RF-to-DATAcircuit for converting signals between a data network format and an RFformat for combining and separating voice signals and data signals inthe remote access point device.
 47. The system of claim 38 wherein saidoptical fiber system is operable for modulating and demodulating thecombined RF signals for communication over optical fiber.
 48. The systemof claim 38 wherein said remote access point device comprises an antennafor transceiving signals with customer equipment.
 49. The system ofclaim 48 wherein said data hardware of the remote access point device iscoupled to the antenna.
 50. The system of claim 48 wherein both of saidvoice hardware and data hardware of the remote access point device arecoupled to the antenna.
 51. The system of claim 38 wherein said datahardware of the remote access point device is operable for processingdata signals in an 802.11 wireless network format.
 52. The system ofclaim 38 wherein said optical fiber system includes an optical fibercable coupled between the hub device and the remote access point device,the cable including a fiber strand for carrying primarily voice signalsand including a fiber strand for carrying primarily data signals. 53.The system of claim 38 wherein said optical fiber system includes anoptical fiber cable coupled between the hub device and the remote accesspoint device, the cable including a fiber strand for carrying combinedvoice and data signals.
 54. A method of improving wireless communicationin an enclosed area, the method comprising: transceiving RF signalsbetween a signal source and a hub device and processing RF voice signalswith voice hardware in the hub device; transceiving data signals betweena network and the hub device and processing the data signals with datahardware; converting, in the hub device, the data signals between a dataformat and an RF format; combining and separating voice signals and RFformat data signals in the hub device; optically communicating combinedvoice and data signals between the hub device and a remote access pointdevice.
 55. The method of claim 54 further comprising transceiving datasignals between the remote access point device and customer equipment,the remote access point device including data hardware for processingdata signals.
 56. The method of claim 54 further comprising combiningand separating voice signals and RF format data signals in the remoteaccess point device.
 57. The method of claim 54 further comprising, whenconverting the data signals between a data format and an RF format,providing a digital stream in the absence of data signals for providinggenerally continuous signals to be combined with the voice signals. 58.The method of claim 54 further comprising communicating combined voiceand data signals between the hub device and a remote access point devicewith an optical fiber system operable for modulating and demodulatingthe combined voice and data signals.
 59. The method of claim 54 furthercomprising transceiving data signals between a network and the hubdevice in an 802.3 Ethernet format.
 60. The method of claim 54 furthercomprising communicating the combined voice and data signals overoptical fiber.
 61. The method of claim 56 further comprisingtransceiving data signals between the remote access point device andcustomer equipment in an 802.11 format.
 62. The method of claim 56further comprising transceiving data signals between the remote accesspoint device and customer equipment with an antenna.
 63. The method ofclaim 62 further comprising transceiving data signals in an 802.11wireless network format.
 64. The method of claim 54 further comprisingcommunicating combined voice and data signals between the hub device anda remote access point device with an optical fiber system operable formodulating and demodulating the combined voice and data signals.
 65. Themethod of claim 58 wherein said optical fiber system includes an opticalfiber cable coupled between the hub device and the remote access pointdevice, the method comprising communicating the voice signals of thecombined signals over a fiber strand of the cable and communicating thedata signals of the combined signals over another fiber strand of thecable.
 66. The method of claim 58 wherein said optical fiber systemincludes an optical fiber cable coupled between the hub device and theremote access point device, the method comprising communicating thevoice and data signals of the combined signals over a common fiberstrand of the cable.